“Behold, I make all things new.” — Revelation 21:5
The Diocese of St. Cloud is embarking on a diocesan-wide pastoral planning process. Beginning in 2015, a task force was created to look at the ways to serve parishes with diminishing numbers of priests. Through a visioning process, 29 Area Catholic Communities were created to share financial and human resources across our 16-county diocese.
In 2024, the diocese collaborated with Emmaus Partners, a consulting firm for Catholic organizations, to help us take a deeper look at our current reality and trends through research, demographics and financial data analysis.
While working with Emmaus Partners, we asked our 29 ACCs to gather information to present to Holy Cross Bishop Patrick Neary through monthly Pastoral Visits held at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud. This was an opportunity for ACCs to focus on their areas of strengths and evaluate challenges. It was an opportunity for Bishop Neary to listen and learn.
This data, along with information collected through the synodal listening process, helped set in motion a way forward through a pastoral planning process titled, “All Things New: Honoring the past, inspiring the future.”
In Revelation 21:5, we hear God’s promise of hope, “Behold, I make all things new.” As we envision and prepare for pastoral needs of all those we serve, we can rest in this fundamental truth and the continuity of God’s presence from the past to the future.
All Things New is a way to honor the past and inspire the future, just like all the generations before us. This plan gives us the opportunity to reflect on the heritage, wisdom and traditions of faith that have grounded us while simultaneously acknowledging the demographic and cultural changes of today.
To read the full reports, visit stcdio.org/planning and click on the tab “All Things New.”
Guiding Principles
Missionary Discipleship
As baptized Catholics, we are all called to the evangelizing mission of the Church. Rooted in this mission, together we are guided by a desire to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ in the world by living and sharing a life of faith.
Sacramental Life
The sacraments are outward signs of grace that God gives to people to help them live a life close to Jesus. We are guided by an invitation to encourage the full, conscious and active participation of the faithful in sacramental life and prayer of the Church.
Engaging the Laity
God has given each person a unique set of gifts and charisms to live out their individual vocation. Through revitalized prayer and formation opportunities, encounters with family, friends, co-workers and neighbors, we can welcome new faces into the fold. We are guided by our strengths to stimulate renewal in the Church.
Listening as a Way of Being Church
The Holy Spirit calls us to pray, listen and discern together what God is asking of us today. By listening to each other, we are guided by learning to best respond to the spiritual needs of all people in our diocese.
Prudent Stewardship
All our resources — human, structural, financial — are gifts from God. With a deep sense of gratitude, we are guided by the use of resources to achieve our shared mission in a healthy and responsible way.
Current Reality
The current reality illustrates the trends that inspire the future:
- We must adapt to the changing demographics.
The overall population in our diocese has increased 7% since 2010 while the number of Catholic parishioners has decreased from 22.4% to 16.6%.
Ages 7-42 make up 45.7% of the population.
- Sacramental and Catholic household numbers have decreased since 2010.
Mass attendance declined 33.1%.
Weddings declined 45.9%.
Baptisms declined 44.7%.
First Communions declined 37.8%.
Confirmations declined 35.5%.
Registered households declined 19%.
- As stewards of God’s gifts we must use them more effectively.
Average church utilization for weekend Masses is 39%.
It is a struggle to find and retain qualified, faithful employees because of increasing pressures and limited compensation.
- Clergy, staff and laity are bearing a heavier administrative burden than in the past.
In 1999, the diocese had 97 priests serving 140 parishes; today there are 62 priests serving 131 parishes.
The average number of parishes per priest is 2.4 (U.S. average is 1) while the median is 3.
- Four out of five parishes are operating with a consistent budget deficit from annual giving (plate and envelope).
What is God asking of us today?
Honoring the past begins with a profound respect for the sacrifice of countless individuals whose love for Jesus Christ built a community of faith. The Church’s sacraments, teachings and liturgical practices have been carried forward through generations, forming the foundation upon which we now stand. When planning for the future, it is essential to recognize and celebrate these contributions, which provide valuable lessons in how to respond to challenges and opportunities. This historical awareness fosters gratitude and strengthens our faith, offering a sense of continuity and belonging to everyone.
Pastoral planning, however, cannot solely look backward. We are called to recognize the shifting needs in today’s world and anticipate others that will impact the Church. We must use creative approaches to stewardship, evangelization, education and outreach, adapting to these new realities while remaining faithful to the Gospel. By listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit guiding us and integrating new ideas and methods, every one of us can fulfill our baptismal mission by inspiring hope, renewal and a vibrant future for our Church.
As we move forward with our planning, we hope to always balance the past efforts with innovation, ensuring that the Church remains a living, breathing community of faith across our diocese. By honoring the past and inspiring the future, the Church will continue to grow, serve and guide its people through the challenges and joys of everyday life, preserving its mission of love, service and evangelization across generations.
To read the full reports, visit stcdio.org/planning and click on the tab “All Things New.”
May the Holy Spirit enkindle in the hearts of the faithful and set burning with Thy love. Amen